THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. For more than a week, the people of
the nation of Georgia have withstood assault from the Russian military.
The world has watched with alarm as Russia invaded a sovereign
neighboring state and threatened a democratic government elected by its
people. This act is completely unacceptable to the free nations of the
world.

The United States and our allies stand with the people of Georgia
and their democratically elected government. We insist that Georgia's
sovereignty and territorial integrity be respected. And Moscow must
honor its pledge to withdraw its invading forces from all Georgian
territory.

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FAQ

Earlier this week I directed a series of steps to demonstrate
America's solidarity with the Georgian people and to help bring about a
peaceful resolution of the conflict. On Thursday, Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice was in France, where she conferred with President
Sarkozy about the diplomatic effort that the French government is
leading on behalf of the European Union.

Yesterday, she was in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, where she
conveyed America's support for Georgia's democratic government. And
next week, Secretary Rice will travel to Brussels, where she will meet
with the foreign ministers of our NATO allies and EU officials to
continue our efforts to rally the free world in defense of a free
Georgia.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is overseeing a mission by the
United States military to provide humanitarian aid for the people of
Georgia. In recent days, U.S. cargo planes carrying humanitarian
supplies have arrived in Georgia. In the days ahead, we will continue
using U.S. aircraft and other assets as needed to deliver more
humanitarian and medical supplies. Russia has agreed to let in all
forms of humanitarian assistance, and Russia must keep open all lines of
communication and transport, including seaports, airports, roads, and
airspace for civilian transit and the delivery of humanitarian
assistance.

Some Americans listening today may wonder why events taking place
in a small country halfway around the world matter to the United States.
In the years since it gained independence after the Soviet Union's
collapse, Georgia has become a courageous democracy whose people are
making the tough choices that are required of free societies.

Since the Rose Revolution in 2003, the Georgian people have held
free elections, opened up their economy, and built the foundations of a
successful democracy. Georgia has sent troops to Afghanistan and Iraq
to help others achieve the liberty that they struggled so hard to
attain. To further strengthen their democracy, Georgia has sought to
join the free institutions of the West. The people of Georgia have cast
their lot with the free world, and we will not cast them aside.

Georgia's emergence as a young democracy has been part of an
inspiring and hopeful new chapter in Europe's history. Europe has moved
beyond the world wars that killed millions of people and the Cold War
that divided its citizens between two superpowers. For the first time
in memory, Europe is becoming a continent that is whole, free, and at
peace. And it is essential that America and other free nations ensure
that an embattled democracy seeking to stand with us remains sovereign,
secure, and undivided.

Russia's actions in Georgia raise serious questions about its role
and its intentions in the Europe of the 21st century. In recent years,
Russia has sought to integrate into the diplomatic, political, economic,
and security structures of the West. The United States has supported
those efforts. Now Russia has put its aspirations at risk by taking
actions in Georgia that are inconsistent with the principles of those
institutions.

To begin to repair the damage to its relations with the United
States, Europe, and other nations, and to begin restoring its place in
the world, Russia must act to end this crisis.